DON'T SAY...
Do you know the time?
You are very pretty.
Your pants are purple.
You are quite handsome.
I have been admiring you.
Where is the restroom?
Let's go there.
Come here.
Do as you will.
I'll see you later.
Perhaps we'll meet then.
Maybe I'll bring the beer.
What do you say?
Alright! Cool!
He has a lot of money.
Good morning, ma'am.
Good day, sir.
Good evening, bud.
Get lost, bud.
Greet\ladies / gentlemen.
It's quite beautiful.
Yes, I think so.
No, I don't think so.
Why do you need it?
I ask you.
Please, what is the cost?
Thank you, you are kind.
I think we're late.
I swear!
Truly, that's a fact.
A long time ago.
Hey King
Hey Queen
The Queen is coming.
Good afternoon, Duke.
Good evening, sir.
Good morning, ma'am.
Hello, Constable (or Knight).
Good Morning
My friend, how are you?
Come here, kid.
What's your name, kid?
Waitress, drinks all around!
I don't know him.
I have but nothing.
Goodbye, my friend.
Goodbye, ladies.
Do / Dost
You are / Thou art
Your / Thy
You / Ye
You / Thee
Where / Whither
There / Thither
Here / Hither
Will / Wilt
Later / Anon
Perhaps / Perchance
Maybe / Mayhap or Belike
You say / Say you
Alright / Splendid
Has / Hath
Morning / Morrow
Day / Den
Evening / Eventide or E'en
Bud / Sirrah
Gentlemen / Good Gentles
Beautiful / Beauteous
Yes / Yea or Aye
No / Nay
Why / Wherefore
Ask You / Bid You
Please / Prithee or Pray
Thank You / Grammarcy
I Think / Methinks
Swear / Troth
Truly / Verily
Long / Goodly Length
Addressing the King
Addressing the Queen
Speaking of the Queen
Addressing a Duke/Duchess
Addressing Nobility
Addressing Nobility
Addressing Officeholders
Addressing Well-Dressed
Addressing an Equal or
Addressing Children
Addressing Children
Addressing Serving Woman
Don't know / Know Not
Nothing / Naught
Goodbye / Fare Thee Well
Goodbye / Adieu
INSTEAD SAY YE THIS...
Dost thou knowest the time?
Thou art very pretty.
Thy breeches are purple.
Ye art quite handsome.
I have been admiring thee.
Whither is the privy?
Let us go thither.
Come hither.
Do as thou wilt.
I will see you anon.
Perchance we will meet then.
Mayhap I will fetch the ale.
What say you?
'Tis most splendid!
He hath a lot of money.
Good morrow, my lady.
Good den, my lord.
Good e'en, sirrah.
Make your leave, sirrah.
Greetings, good gentles/ladies.
It is most beauteous.
Yea, methinks so.
Nay, methinks not.
Wherefore needest it thou?
I bid you.
Prithee, what is the cost?
Grammarcy, you are most kind.
Methinks that we are late.
By my troth!
Verily, it is so.
A goodly length in times past.
Your Majesty or Majesty
Your Highness or Your Grace
Her Grace cometh.
Good den, Your Grace.
Good eventide, My Lord.
Good morrow, My Lady.
Your Honor (or Your Worship)
Good Morning Sir (or Mistress)
Goodman/wife, how fare thee?
Come hither, my lad/lass.
What be your name,?
Wench, beakers all around!
I know not that name.
I have but naught.
Fare thee well, My Goodman.
Adieu, My Good Ladies.
Olde English/Modern art - are bequeath (one of my personal favorites) - To give or leave by will; to hand down. beseech - request, ask. besought – asked, made request. (past tense of beseech) betwixt – between. canst - can. cometh – comes, or coming.Submitted by Queen of Terabithia
dearth - (durth) scarcity or scant supply of anything; want or lack. dost - do, does. draught or draft – Can mean the act of pulling or drawing loads; a pull or haul; a team of animals for pulling a load; the drawing in of a fish net; the bunch of fish that were drawn in by the net; but… your typical Rennie will prefer one of these usages: the act of inhaling; that which is inhaled; or, the number one definition for common folk everywhere: the drawing of a liquid from its receptacle, as of ale from a cask!!!! durst – Dare; to have the necessary boldness or courage for something. fere - friend, companion. fullsome - rich, plentiful. hath - equivalent of modern has.Submitted by M.G. of Oneida, Wisconsin henceforth - from now on.Submitted by L. Strass hither - here. huzzah - Huzza or huzzah is first recorded in 1573. According to a number of writers in the 17th and 18th centuries, it was originally a sailor's cheer or salute.(Old French, huzzer, “to shout aloud;” German, hussah!)Submitted by John Of www.renaissancefestival.com mere - An expanse of water; lake; pool.Submitted by The Lady Mellisa of Pt. Charlotte midst – Middle, or among. e.g., "in the midst of the storm… nary - None; absolutely nothing; not even close to anything.Submitted by Jester Bumbledumb of Drunkonia
The good Jester also included an example of the word's usage:"Thou dost hast nary an inkling on coveting thine lady."
And for the fullness of your understanding, this modern translation of the above phrase:"You wouldn't know how to please a babe if you spent 10 years on the set of Oprah!" naught – Nothing. (Did you know our modern word “not” is actually an abbreviated form of this Olde-English word, which was itself a shortened form of “no whit” or “not a whit”?)
onuppan - above.Submitted by Callum Ellis Mennie
overmany - a lot.Submitted by Kaylia White pece - silverware, fork.Submitted by Kylaa prithee - contracted form of "I pray thee", i.e., I ask of you, I beseech thee, etc. proby - apprentice.Submitted by Sire Kyle pudh - horrible. Rennies - Renaissance fanatics; also people who are addicted to Renaissance Faires, costume, and anything else reminiscent of that era.Alright, this isn’t really an O.E. word at all – it’s a catchy name, though! shall or shalt - will seek - (O.E. secan, to seek) To go in search or quest of; to look or search for. syllan - sell. tallt - to stand above others in a snobby way. tarry - to linger, deliberate, wait, stay, or pause. thou - you thee - you thine - your thither - there. thy - your trow – To think or suppose.e.g., "Wilt thou labor for naught? I trow not!" whence - From where, e.g., "Whence, comest thou?" would translate to the modern "Where do you come from?" wax - to grow, to become. whither - To where, e.g., "Whither thou goest, I shall go." translates in modern English as "Where you go, I will go." wilt – This one is tricky. It can mean very simply, will; but then it could also mean what a flower does without water, or what I do when asked to cook - it all depends on the context… wist - knew; past tense of wit, e.g. He wist that his love was coming... wit – To know, e.g., Canst thou wit what the day shall bring? wrought - done, made, created; e.g. "...see what God hath wrought..."Submitted by M.G. of Oneida, Wisconsin ye - polite form of thou.Submitted by Laura yore - years ago.
Medieval Words
anon (until later)
morrow (day)
e'en (even/evening)
fare-thee-well (goodbye)
aye/yea (yes)
nay (no)
ne'r (never)
oft (often)
wherefore (why)
mayhap/perchance/belike (maybe)
enow (enough)
aroint (away)
verily (very/truly)
prithee/pray (please)
fie (a curse)
grammarcy (thank you)
Medieval Phrases
Dost thou knowest the time? (Do you know the time?)
http://web.archive.org/web/20070218144020/http://winnebago.esu1.org/lbotma/web2.html
Olde English Translator
http://www.oldenglishtranslator.co.uk/
Olde English Phrases
http://www.medieval-faire.com/speak.html
Do you know the time?
You are very pretty.
Your pants are purple.
You are quite handsome.
I have been admiring you.
Where is the restroom?
Let's go there.
Come here.
Do as you will.
I'll see you later.
Perhaps we'll meet then.
Maybe I'll bring the beer.
What do you say?
Alright! Cool!
He has a lot of money.
Good morning, ma'am.
Good day, sir.
Good evening, bud.
Get lost, bud.
Greet\ladies / gentlemen.
It's quite beautiful.
Yes, I think so.
No, I don't think so.
Why do you need it?
I ask you.
Please, what is the cost?
Thank you, you are kind.
I think we're late.
I swear!
Truly, that's a fact.
A long time ago.
Hey King
Hey Queen
The Queen is coming.
Good afternoon, Duke.
Good evening, sir.
Good morning, ma'am.
Hello, Constable (or Knight).
Good Morning
My friend, how are you?
Come here, kid.
What's your name, kid?
Waitress, drinks all around!
I don't know him.
I have but nothing.
Goodbye, my friend.
Goodbye, ladies.
You are / Thou art
Your / Thy
You / Ye
You / Thee
Where / Whither
There / Thither
Here / Hither
Will / Wilt
Later / Anon
Perhaps / Perchance
Maybe / Mayhap or Belike
You say / Say you
Alright / Splendid
Has / Hath
Morning / Morrow
Day / Den
Evening / Eventide or E'en
Bud / Sirrah
Gentlemen / Good Gentles
Beautiful / Beauteous
Yes / Yea or Aye
No / Nay
Why / Wherefore
Ask You / Bid You
Please / Prithee or Pray
Thank You / Grammarcy
I Think / Methinks
Swear / Troth
Truly / Verily
Long / Goodly Length
Addressing the King
Addressing the Queen
Speaking of the Queen
Addressing a Duke/Duchess
Addressing Nobility
Addressing Nobility
Addressing Officeholders
Addressing Well-Dressed
Addressing an Equal or
Addressing Children
Addressing Children
Addressing Serving Woman
Don't know / Know Not
Nothing / Naught
Goodbye / Fare Thee Well
Goodbye / Adieu
Dost thou knowest the time?
Thou art very pretty.
Thy breeches are purple.
Ye art quite handsome.
I have been admiring thee.
Whither is the privy?
Let us go thither.
Come hither.
Do as thou wilt.
I will see you anon.
Perchance we will meet then.
Mayhap I will fetch the ale.
What say you?
'Tis most splendid!
He hath a lot of money.
Good morrow, my lady.
Good den, my lord.
Good e'en, sirrah.
Make your leave, sirrah.
Greetings, good gentles/ladies.
It is most beauteous.
Yea, methinks so.
Nay, methinks not.
Wherefore needest it thou?
I bid you.
Prithee, what is the cost?
Grammarcy, you are most kind.
Methinks that we are late.
By my troth!
Verily, it is so.
A goodly length in times past.
Your Majesty or Majesty
Your Highness or Your Grace
Her Grace cometh.
Good den, Your Grace.
Good eventide, My Lord.
Good morrow, My Lady.
Your Honor (or Your Worship)
Good Morning Sir (or Mistress)
Goodman/wife, how fare thee?
Come hither, my lad/lass.
What be your name,?
Wench, beakers all around!
I know not that name.
I have but naught.
Fare thee well, My Goodman.
Adieu, My Good Ladies.
art - are
bequeath (one of my personal favorites) - To give or leave by will; to hand down.
beseech - request, ask.
besought – asked, made request. (past tense of beseech)
betwixt – between.
canst - can.
cometh – comes, or coming.Submitted by Queen of Terabithia
dearth - (durth) scarcity or scant supply of anything; want or lack.
dost - do, does.
draught or draft – Can mean the act of pulling or drawing loads; a pull or haul; a team of animals for pulling a load; the drawing in of a fish net; the bunch of fish that were drawn in by the net; but… your typical Rennie will prefer one of these usages: the act of inhaling; that which is inhaled; or, the number one definition for common folk everywhere: the drawing of a liquid from its receptacle, as of ale from a cask!!!!
durst – Dare; to have the necessary boldness or courage for something.
fere - friend, companion.
fullsome - rich, plentiful.
hath - equivalent of modern has.Submitted by M.G. of Oneida, Wisconsin
henceforth - from now on.Submitted by L. Strass
hither - here.
huzzah - Huzza or huzzah is first recorded in 1573. According to a number of writers in the 17th and 18th centuries, it was originally a sailor's cheer or salute.(Old French, huzzer, “to shout aloud;” German, hussah!)Submitted by John Of www.renaissancefestival.com
mere - An expanse of water; lake; pool.Submitted by The Lady Mellisa of Pt. Charlotte
midst – Middle, or among. e.g., "in the midst of the storm…
nary - None; absolutely nothing; not even close to anything.Submitted by Jester Bumbledumb of Drunkonia
The good Jester also included an example of the word's usage:"Thou dost hast nary an inkling on coveting thine lady."
And for the fullness of your understanding, this modern translation of the above phrase:"You wouldn't know how to please a babe if you spent 10 years on the set of Oprah!"
naught – Nothing. (Did you know our modern word “not” is actually an abbreviated form of this Olde-English word, which was itself a shortened form of “no whit” or “not a whit”?)
onuppan - above.Submitted by Callum Ellis Mennie
overmany - a lot.Submitted by Kaylia White
pece - silverware, fork.Submitted by Kylaa
prithee - contracted form of "I pray thee", i.e., I ask of you, I beseech thee, etc.
proby - apprentice.Submitted by Sire Kyle
pudh - horrible.
Rennies - Renaissance fanatics; also people who are addicted to Renaissance Faires, costume, and anything else reminiscent of that era.Alright, this isn’t really an O.E. word at all – it’s a catchy name, though!
shall or shalt - will
seek - (O.E. secan, to seek) To go in search or quest of; to look or search for.
syllan - sell.
tallt - to stand above others in a snobby way.
tarry - to linger, deliberate, wait, stay, or pause.
thou - you
thee - you
thine - your
thither - there.
thy - your
trow – To think or suppose.e.g., "Wilt thou labor for naught? I trow not!"
whence - From where, e.g., "Whence, comest thou?" would translate to the modern "Where do you come from?"
wax - to grow, to become.
whither - To where, e.g., "Whither thou goest, I shall go." translates in modern English as "Where you go, I will go."
wilt – This one is tricky. It can mean very simply, will; but then it could also mean what a flower does without water, or what I do when asked to cook - it all depends on the context…
wist - knew; past tense of wit, e.g. He wist that his love was coming...
wit – To know, e.g., Canst thou wit what the day shall bring?
wrought - done, made, created; e.g. "...see what God hath wrought..."Submitted by M.G. of Oneida, Wisconsin
ye - polite form of thou.Submitted by Laura
yore - years ago.
Medieval Words
Medieval Phrases
Men's Names
Women's Names